As we enter the dog days of the NBA offseason, two All-Star trade candidates remain on the block — the Cavaliers and Knicks continue to explore trades involving Kyrie Irving and Carmelo Anthony, respectively. Nothing appears imminent on either front, but Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders checks in on both situations to see where they stand, so let’s dive in and round up the highlights from Kyler…
- The Cavaliers aren’t operating with a sense of urgency to find an Irving deal. One source from a team interested in Irving tells Kyler that Cleveland doesn’t seem to be operating with a deadline when it comes to getting something done. The source described the Cavs as still being in “fact-finding mode” at this point.
- The Suns and Timberwolves are viewed as two strong candidates for Irving, but they’ve been reluctant to include Josh Jackson and Andrew Wiggins, respectively, and are unlikely to win out unless they relent on that stance. While Phoenix doesn’t want to move Jackson or Devin Booker, there’s a sense that anyone else on the roster could be had, says Kyler. That may not be enough for the Cavaliers, however.
- The “prevailing thought in NBA circles” is that the long-rumored Anthony deal between the Knicks and Rockets isn’t going to happen unless Houston finds a way to improve its offer. As Kyler details, the idea of the Knicks accepting a package made up entirely of players they don’t view as long-term pieces isn’t “appealing or agreeable” to the team’s front office.
- The Knicks seem as if they’re willing to bring Anthony to training camp if he doesn’t expand his list of preferred landing spots or if the Rockets don’t improve their offer, according to Kyler, who describes the Carmelo situation as “more like a standoff” than the Cavaliers‘ situation with Irving.
At this point it’s looking like Melo will be in NY for the start of the season. I also think Irving will be traded to the Suns for A package surrounding Bledsoe without Jackson being included.
Agreed it will be bender, Bledsoe, and a throw in and number 1. and suns will get shumphert and Irving. Shumpert is. A bad contract with cars clearing cap space.
Would be. A good move for the suns as after several years of top 5 picks it’s time for the kids to grow up. Booker showed promise last year and with Irving and improving marquiss chris and Jackson the only position to draft is center, but we don’t play with those nsymore in the NBA.
Cabs would get young up n comer in bender and pg and future draft pick.
Super Suns Excellent !!!
Bledsoe and Chandler eventual a pick from Miami is more than enough for Cleveland.
You can’t possibly decide what’s right for another team.
Question: Would you trade Bledsoe and a top 5 unprotected pick for Kyrie?
I wouldn’t. If the Suns were one upgrade away from being a contender (or even making the playoffs) then maybe. But they aren’t and the upgrade from Bledsoe to Irving for just two years in my opinion isn’t worth a top 5 pick (or Jackson or Booker). Not even sure I’d give up Bender or Chriss. I think people underestimate how good Bledsoe is…
I’m not underestimating Bledsoe at all. I’m just going off what I’m reading. I don’t believe it to be smart of the Suns to break up the young core that they have been building for Irving, but if the turmoil in Cleveland is as bad as it is being reported then yea I see Cleveland pushing to trade Irving. With that being said, Phoenix is logically the best bet for a solid return. I’d rather see Irving playing for the Knicks but not at the cost of Porzingis or Hernangomez. And if a trade were to happen with the Knicks the only way I’d send out more than one first rounder is if the Cavs take Noah also.
I feel the sun’s keep coming up in rumors cause they are releasing what the sun’s are offering so another team beats it or the suns give up Jackson. Classic fantasy football strategy. Public bidding war.
Nope
Yeah, if you are the Suns, you almost have to wait this out…
Any trade for Kyrie that includes Bledsoe and Booker or Bledsoe and Jackson has to be an immediate no deal for Phoenix…I could see Bledsoe, Chriss, and Warren plus a pick ultimately working out for both squads… Or Bledsoe, Bender, and Warren plus a pick could work out nicely for Cleveland…But you cannot give up Bledsoe and Jackson nor Bledsoe and Booker…Those two, plus Kyrie and either Bender or Chriss, whichever doesn’t get traded, those four have to become your building blocks moving forward…
And a starting 5 of
Kyrie
Booker
Jackson
Chriss/Bender
Chandler
That starting 5 could very well rival almost any other starting 5 in the Western conference..
Their man issue then would come down to having enough depth to contend with the top teams..Although, over the course of this year and next season or so, they could bring in some vets on minimim deals or exceptions and they can sign an extra piece or two via free agency…
You’re delusional if you think that starting 5 would rival anyone.
I agree …
Ya so that’s gonna be a no from me too dawg.
You really are delusional. You have no idea what Jackson will give you and you have zero depth.
Chandler is an offensive liability- unimpressive starting 5
He’s better than zaza and some of the other guys in the west. Plus he plays good defense and is a great mentor for Williams and Len if returns
umm, Zaza has 4 all stars around him, Capela from Houston is better, DeAndre is better, Towns is better, Gobert is better, Jokic is better, Cousins is better, and arguably Lemarcus/Gasol in SA are as good or better. How many contenders in the West not named GS have starting centers worse than Chandler?
Phoenix will not get Irving for Bledsoe and some spare parts. That will never happen. Irving will go elsewhere and Phoenix fans can enjoy another 25 win season. Then you will hear how great they’re going to be some day. Don’t hold your breath.
Warren is a proven starting caliber 3 who can create his own shot and will add much needed depth behind LeBron that Korver/Jefferson just can’t. Chriss/Bender are both young top 10 picks that could be nice building blocks in a rebuild after LeBron and Kyrie leave. Draft picks are quite valuable especially Suns/Heat picks which could very easily be lottery picks. I wouldn’t call that spare parts and a Core of Kyrie, Booker, Jackson, Chriss/Bender will be great. The fact is Cavs fans fall for the same delusion that because there star is on the trade block other teams should just gut their teams for said star and the fact of the matter is Kyrie isn’t a top 5 at his position or top 15 player in the league so no team will make that offer so prepare to be quite disappointed
You are widely insane if you don’t think Kyrie is a top 5 guard or top 15 NBA player. His value is even MORE enhanced because the Harden’s and Curry’s of the world aren’t going anywhere. Irving is a legit superstar.
Baloney. All these talented pieces that would help Cleveland so much got you a 24-58 record. Moral of the story? The Suns suck.
I agree. Also, the Suns won’t get Irving with out giving up Jackson or Booker, along with Bledsoe. I don’t have a dog in the race, so I have no reason to be bias. Bledsoe and spare parts aren’t enough. They can simply keep Kyrie, and let him pout.
Fine. Anderson and a 2145 2nd round pick for Melo. Make the deal, Knicks.
The only new news there was the lack of deadline/urgency from the CC FO . Although, that was predictable. The best time to trade Irving is past, and they can’t be too confident in their trading skills. Rockets, suns, twolves… not happening.
There’s is no “best time”. If you really want the best deal then you wait for Dec 15th when all the FA become trade-able.
Phoenix fans have to stop thinking they’re the only possible trade partners.
Cleveland would be stupid to trade him for the packages offered. This may be the last year this franchise has to win a championship for a very long time. Even if he’s unhappy, he’ll eventually realize he has to play, and play well, to get where he wants. It’s a lot easier to imagine KI and LBJ coming to a ceasefire for their mutual benefit than any of the proposed trades being good for them. Phoenix isn’t being irrational. At 24 wins last year, they just may not be the right team. But from Cleveland’s standpoint, there won’t be any interest in perimeter players that can’t shoot the 3 and defend, at least one of those at a high level, or bigs at all unless its a signifcant upgrade from Thompson/Love (in a broader deal) or a backup as a back end piece. They can always make a deal for draft picks or rebuilding assets if LeBron leaves or things fall apart at the deadline.